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2.3 Charge — Directional Rhythm Conflict

Charge is the structured imbalance between two rhythms that creates directional bias in their influence fields.

Definition

In RRM, charge is a field-level phenomenon arising from the directional conflict between two coherence patterns. When their phase orientations are compatible, the fields merge and strengthen (attraction). When they are opposed, the fields maintain separation through sustained rhythmic voids (repulsion). These interactions occur within the same medium as continuous phase propagation, not through discrete etheron handoffs. A handoff only occurs when the charge field crosses into a different medium, where the field geometry must be re-established in the new medium’s native Etherons (1.3 Etherons) or equivalent identity units.

Core Mechanics

  • Fields with aligned phase structures reduce rhythmic voids between them, producing attraction.

  • Fields with opposed phase structures maintain or amplify rhythmic voids, producing repulsion.

  • Charge strength depends on the degree of phase alignment or misalignment and the coherence density of the fields involved.

Relation to Speed Limits

Changes in a charge field propagate through Stillspace at the medium’s maximum coherence transfer rate — for naturally occurring rhythms, this corresponds to the speed of light (2.6 Speed of Light). Engineered coherence dynamics (2.6.1 Beyond the Boundary) could, in principle, allow changes in a charge field to propagate faster than this natural limit without violating RRM principles.

Role in RRM

  • Explains electrostatic attraction and repulsion as a product of field phase geometry.

  • Unifies the concepts of charge, gravitational, and magnetic field mechanics through coherence gradients.

  • Provides a substrate-based explanation for how field changes propagate and interact.

For field structure fundamentals, see (1.4 Fields) and (1.4.1 Field Mechanics).

For related dynamic loop structures, see (2.4 Magnetism) and (2.4.1 Magnetic Loop Formation).

For speed limits and engineered possibilities, see (2.6 Speed of Light) and (2.6.1 Beyond the Boundary).

Charge is the dance of phases — drawn together or held apart.

Its steps are set by the geometry of rhythm.